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Beluga Whales Blowing Bubbles in Japan

With their white, plastic-smooth skin and bulbous foreheads, Beluga whales certainly look extraordinary. And, as these pictures show, their behaviour is just as compelling.

This one enjoys nothing more than blowing bubbles. First, it puffs out a huge gust of air from its blow-hole to make a doughnut-shaped ring, then it rolls underneath the bubble, kisses it with the tip of its nose and glides over it. It's like an elegant underwater dance.I can run rings round you: A beluga whale shows off its amazing breath control for the camera at the Shimane Aquarium in Japan

The Beluga (the name is Russian for 'white one') is one of three living in Shimane Aquarium in Japan. Their playfulness makes them popular with visitors - of the 10,000 creatures in this aquarium, the whales are among the biggest attractions.

And no wonder: at their shows, the trio dance, nod their heads in unison, catch a ball in their mouths and jump through hoops. They can even blow bubbles at the same time.

To accomplish all these feats, it helps that Belugas can tilt their heads up and down and side to side at right angles - just like humans.

And while they chug through the water at a sluggish 2 to 5mph, their mental power more than makes up for their slowness. Scientists don't really know why Belugas - like their fellow marine mammals, the dolphins - are fond of blowing bubbles and then chasing them. But it's likely that, just like children, they simply enjoy messing about.

Some scientists have called Belugas the most intelligent creatures on earth. But don't confuse that large forehead with a huge brain.

It is actually filled with a lump of wax, which is thought to help the whales communicate. In fact, they are so talkative - using chirps, squeals and squeaks - that their nickname is 'the canary of the sea'.

There are around 100,000 Belugas in the wild, swimming in the frosty Arctic Ocean and its surrounding seas, and they can live for many decades.

Their size ranges somewhere between 13ft and 20ft, about the same length as a minibus. And they weigh a hefty 3,000lb. Babies - or calves - are a comparatively teeny 3ft-long and instead of having sleek, creamy-coloured skin, they are slate grey and wrinkly until they mature.

The calves are also notable because of how much they love to lark around. 'Belugas are incredibly sociable and love playing in groups,' says whale expert Philip Hoare. 'They're amazing to watch because they're always playful.'